The synthesis, characterization, and properties of materials including metals, semiconductors, polymers, and ceramics. Connection of the properties (e.g., optical, electrical, magnetic, thermal, and mechanical) of materials to crystal structures and chemical composition with emphasis on doping to design efficient materials for renewable energy applications. The lab component will introduce the art of glass blowing, solid-state synthesis, and crystal structure determination using X-ray crystallography. At the end of this course, students will be able to synthesize and characterize solid-state materials, determine the crystal structure using powder X-ray diffractometry, connect the physical properties of materials to the crystallographic structures and chemical composition, delineate the origins of color, differentiate different electronic and magnetic systems, understand stress-strain curves, and read phase diagrams. Furthermore, students will be able to work with high-temperature torches to prepare quartz tubes.